Rectum Tears in Foaling

[jenbrin]

My mare foaled Memorial day, we were present for the whole foaling. However, we noticed that the foal wasn’t progressing as well as he should so we jumped in and noticed the foal’s nose was coming through the mare’s rectum. We were able to push the foal’s nose back down but the mare did tear her rectum. Called vet immediately she said not to be overly concerned and would be out later in the day.

She came out (new vet, my normal vet moved out of state about two weeks prior) and could not find the three inch tear. So mare was down a lot the last two days with a very mild temp so I called the vet and she agreed to come out again. She came out and did find the three inch tear, four inches in. She wanted to rush the mare into surgery. But later called me back saying we would have to wait four weeks in order to fix it.

I have talk to a couple of vets and they all told me we need to give it a couple of days to a week before we can do the surgery, in order to give the tissue a chance to strengthen before we stitch it.

I don’t have a clue what I am into? Cost, health of the mare, healing time, etc…
I already don’t feel comfortable with the first vet and am getting a second opinion about when to do the surgery. Please educate me?

[Kinsella]

Get a second opinion ASAP. I don’t know enough about rectal tears to give more advice than that, but what you have told of the first vet makes me say that…

[twelvegates]

I’d be worried about peritonitis.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/emergency_medicine_and_critical_care/equine_emergency_medicine/other_common_equine_emergencies.html

“Grade I and II tears can be managed medically with antibiotics and a laxative diet (oil, grass) and analgesics (flunixin meglumine) to facilitate defecation. Grade III and IV tears should be referred to a surgical facility. However, it is essential to prevent fecal contamination during transportation…The horse should be given systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, flunixin meglumine, and appropriate tetanus prophylaxis. Prevention of fecal contamination of grade III and IV tears during referral can determine whether the outcome will be successful.”

[Dressage_Diva333]

I have known several mares that have died from rectal tears. I would be getting a second opinion.

[jenbrin]

I think she said it’s a grade II, but I’m not really taking her advice at this point. She thought we didn’t know what we were talking about and dismiss us, even though we physically felt the tear and the foal’s nose in the hole. I think it would have been a lot worse if my friend didn’t react so quickly.
I have another vet coming out tomorrow am and I have CSU lined up just incase.

[Stonebridge_Farm]

We had a very similar presentation several years ago. A 4-5 inch tear about 4 inches in. My vet was in contact with New Bolton Center who advised us to wait 3 or 4 weeks. Several days prior to taking her in for surgery she had to be fed straight alfalfa & was given gallons of oil so her stools would be soft enough. They actually sent her home the first time I took her because she wasn’t loose enough! Other than that she had no special care and was able to be bred and had no problem foaling the second time around.

[chillydc]

My mare died of a rectal tear (Grade 4)… I would get more opinions to be safe.

[Hillside_H_Ranch]

If the tear is as described it is not uncommon to wait weeks before fixing. Another opinion never hurts, though.

[Sakura_Hill_Farm]

This happened to us earlier on in our breeding career.The vet we were using told us not to worry. The mare died of a prolapsed rectum in horrific circumstances. We contacted another more seasoned vet who actually had been the initial vet’s boss. He advised us to sue her for negligence. We did not, but clearly never had anything to do with the initial vet again.
Get a second opinion!

[jenbrin]

We are six days post foaling and I have gotten second & third opinions. Everyone agrees that the tear as far as where it is isn’t life threatening. CSU is going to do the procedure and wants us to wait about sixty days. She is doing really well with just a small amount of banamine. I only hope that she heals well and goes on to have more foals.

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=jenbrin;7602614]
CSU is going to do the procedure and wants us to wait about sixty days. She is doing really well with just a small amount of banamine. I only hope that she heals well and goes on to have more foals.[/QUOTE]
Wow. I have no firsthand experience with this problem but did they give an explanation as to why to wait 2 months prior to repair?

[Meadow36]

The reason for waiting is 2 fold: #1 - the mare should be on laxatives/oil/alfalfa for several weeks in order to soften the stool before surgery; and #2 - waiting also gives the tissues time to quiet down from all the inflammation and bleeding so that it’s easier to repair. Otherwise it’s like trying to suture through one big swollen bloody mess - not easy.

[Spirit11]

all of the above is a lie. The vet in question was not on call. You had worn out your welcome with all the other vets in the area due to unpaid bills. The vet you called was too far away to be of help. It was the 4th of July, the mare had already prolapsed when you called, she advised you to wrap it in a sheet(you were so panicked that you asked what a sheet was) and take mare to university. Yoho never advised you to sue.

[Laurierace]

Did I miss a post?

[Laurierace]

[QUOTE=Spirit11;7620400]
all of the above is a lie. The vet in question was not on call. You had worn out your welcome with all the other vets in the area due to unpaid bills. The vet you called was too far away to be of help. It was the 4th of July, the mare had already prolapsed when you called, she advised you to wrap it in a sheet(you were so panicked that you asked what a sheet was) and take mare to university. Yoho never advised you to sue.[/QUOTE]

Did I miss a post? This makes no sense otherwise.

[Spirit11]

was in response to Sakura Hills

[jenbrin]

[QUOTE=Spirit11;7620400]
all of the above is a lie. The vet in question was not on call. You had worn out your welcome with all the other vets in the area due to unpaid bills. The vet you called was too far away to be of help. It was the 4th of July, the mare had already prolapsed when you called, she advised you to wrap it in a sheet(you were so panicked that you asked what a sheet was) and take mare to university. Yoho never advised you to sue.[/QUOTE]

What??? I think you are thinking of someone/something else. No one is suing, no vet in question and no prolapsing just a rectal/vaginal tear.

[maybedog]

[QUOTE=Spirit11;7620400]
all of the above is a lie. The vet in question was not on call. You had worn out your welcome with all the other vets in the area due to unpaid bills. The vet you called was too far away to be of help. It was the 4th of July, the mare had already prolapsed when you called, she advised you to wrap it in a sheet(you were so panicked that you asked what a sheet was) and take mare to university. Yoho never advised you to sue.[/QUOTE]
What is wrong with you??? This kind of lashing out has nothing to do with this thread does not belong here :mad:

[Calamber]

Nothing wrong with calling out someone who is lying if indeed they are, you wouldnt’ want to take the advice of something who is spreading patent falsehoods, right?

[Jealoushe]

Yikes. Sending jingles to your mare.